International Women’s Day was marked in South Australia with a powerful celebration of women’s leadership, creativity and cultural expression, as the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SA) and the French‑Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SA) came together to host Women in Creative Business.
Held at The Lab at ILA in Adelaide, the event brought together business leaders, creatives and community members to honour women shaping the creative industries, with a particular focus on emerging Greek‑Australian film talent.
At the centre of the evening was young Greek Australian filmmaker Madeleine Parry, whose work was showcased to an extremely engaged audience.
The event opened with a screening of one of Parry’s films, followed by discussion highlighting her growing body of work and the significance of storytelling as a cultural bridge. The screening also served to promote Parry’s latest feature film, Eleftheria – a project already attracting strong interest and industry recognition.
Parry has received several national and international accolades for her work, including directing the Emmy‑ and Peabody‑winning Hannah Gadsby: Nanette for Netflix. Her success has positioned her as one of SA’s most exciting creative exports, and a powerful example of Greek diaspora talent making an impact on the global stage.
“Madeleine represents exactly the kind of creative voice we want to support and elevate,” Alex Demetriou from the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry in SA said.
“She is doing extraordinary work, telling meaningful stories, and showing what is possible for young Greek Australians pursuing creative careers.”
The evening also featured a panel discussion exploring women’s leadership in the arts and creative industries, with The Hon. Andrea Michaels MP among the panellists.
Minister Michaels, who is of Greek Cypriot heritage, holds the South Australian portfolios for Small Business, Family Business, Consumer and Business Affairs, and the Arts. Her participation underscored the importance of policy, representation and support for creative practitioners, particularly women and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Minister Michaels spoke about the role of the arts in shaping inclusive communities and the importance of ensuring that creative industries remain accessible and sustainable for future generations.
Joining Minister Michaels on the panel was Beth Neate, a respected leader in SA’s arts and creative sector and CEO of Guildhouse, a peak body for visual art and design.
The event was moderated by French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry board member (NSW) and respected arts and cultural leader Lyn Tuit GAICD, and brought together voices from across business, government and the creative sector.
Attendees engaged in discussion around gender equity, cultural identity, creative entrepreneurship and the pathways available to women working in film and the arts.
For the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in SA, the event formed part of a broader commitment to celebrating Greek Australian achievement beyond traditional business sectors, recognising the growing influence of creative industries within both the Greek diaspora and the South Australian economy.
“This was about more than a single event,” organisers noted. “It was about recognising excellence, inspiring the next generation, and ensuring that Greek Australian stories and voices continue to be seen and heard.”
The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in SA acknowledged the strong collaboration with Florence Masters from the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SA), noting that the event reflected the value of cross-cultural partnerships in promoting creative industries.
The event concluded with networking and conversation, leaving attendees inspired by the talent on display and the strength of collaboration between cultural, business and creative communities in the state.
